I’ve always been a reader, though not the fastest or most prolific. A stack of books by my bedside is deeply satisfying. One genre I’ve not been able to break into is poetry. I’ve made attempts, such as reading on the toilet. I thought the brevity of poems and idle toilet time might work, as it had with the Tao Te Ching. While the location didn’t hinder my appreciation, I do feel like a secret delinquent reading a sacred text on the John. Because I’m me, I asked chatGPT if reading Tao Te Ching on the toilet makes me a bad person. It replied with perky reassurance that actually it aligns with the Taoist idea that profound truths can be found in the mundane. A perfect example of finding harmony in everyday life during an ordinary, functional activity. Comforting—or maybe just proof AI knows me too well. All that said and despite many visits to the bathroom, Selected Poems by Leonard Cohen remains relatively unread.
My failure with poetry might stem from trying to maximize every moment, where poetry demands slowing down. To be clear, I hold this as an “it’s not you, it’s me” thing. The sheer volume of poets, fans, and slams tells me there’s something to this. That’s why I’m going to check out the monthly Poetry Club at the R.C. Library on Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. They may not want me now, but if they’ll have me, I see this as a chance to better appreciate something I’ve struggled to understand. Sometimes what we think we don’t like is just something we don’t yet understand. Or, an opportunity to see through the eyes of someone who loves it. I find it life-giving to be around people who love what they do, whether it’s a common interest of mine or not. In the same “try it, you might like it” guidance I offer my youngest at dinnertime, I’m going to try it I might like it at Poetry Club. If nothing else, I will get to learn something new and be around great people. The real moral of the story? Be careful borrowing books from me.
Here are some other great “try it you might like it” events to check out:
• Chest Fever Presents the Best of The Band with Guests Mrs Henry: Feb. 1 at R.C. Legion
• “Celebrating the Matriarchs” Art Show: Jan. 30 6 to 8 p.m. at Gumboot Cafe
• Bellydance Workshop: Jan. 25 and Feb. 22, 2 to 4 p.m. at Yoga by the Sea
I’d love to hear what new things you’re trying—or what you keep next to your toilet. Reach me on Facebook (DMs welcome), or at [email protected].
